Chapter House and Pyx Chamber — Attraction in London

If you have English Heritage membership you can visit these rooms inside the cloisters at Westminster Abbey without having to buy entrance to the Abbey. Go to the right of the West Door and through the arch and turn left to show the attendant your cards. This gets you into the Cloisters and the Chapter House and Pyx Chamber are off the cloisters walkway. Also here are the Cellarium Café which also has toilets (usually much less used than the public ones). The Chapter House is an fantastic building in it's own right with a single central column rising to a fan vault ceiling. Also do not miss the wall paintings to the left of the entrance which date from the 14C and have representation of camels and even a crocodile in the painting. The Pyx Chamber was the old treasury and apart from the massive vaults the interesting features are the double massive doors with 6 locks to secure the chamber. Off the Cloisters are the Abbey gardens which amazingly for the location, are quite and a great place to have a picnic while being able to see the Palace of Westminster on one side and yet be behind the Abbey walls in an enclosed...

The Chapter House and Pyx Chamber are two of Westminster Abbey's lesser-known gems, but every bit as enthralling as the main church. The Chapter House, with its majestic octagonal design and breathtaking medieval wall paintings, is a testament to the rich history and artistry of the times. As you stand under its soaring ceiling, you feel the weight of centuries' worth of spiritual gatherings and important meetings. It was certainly an experience to walk around the walls and look at the bible scenes depicted on the walls. I wish there was more of an explanation to the scenes past the apocalypse but I was able to find some information to read on my phone as walked around. Make sure not to miss Britains oldest door, built in 1050, and the Norman-style tile work in the center...

The Pyx Chamber dates to the late 11th century, making it the oldest part of Westminster Abbey. The Pyx Chamber formed the undercroft of the monks' dormitory and was used as a monastic and royal treasury. The term pyx refers to the boxwood chest in which coins were kept. The octagonal Chapter House was built between 1245 and 1253 in Geometrical Gothic style. Above the stone benches there are still some murals from the 14th century and above those murals you will see beautiful stained glass windows. In the chapter house the monks gathered to discuss, or be taught by the abbot. The Chapter House later became a meeting place of the King's Great Council and the Commons, predecessors of Parliament. Both are a good example of the history of...